The Washington Commanders signed cornerback Rasul Douglas to a one-year deal on July 9, 2026. The contract is worth up to $3.8 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
A Proven Veteran Addition
Douglas enters his 10th NFL season after stops with five different franchises. Philadelphia drafted him in the third round back in 2017, and he won Super Bowl LII as a rookie that same season. He later played for Carolina, Green Bay, Buffalo, and Miami before signing with Washington.
His career numbers stand out. Douglas has recorded 503 tackles, 21 interceptions, and 92 pass deflections across 135 games. He also led the NFL in interceptions returned for touchdowns back in 2021.
Why Washington Needed Him
The Commanders’ secondary struggled badly in 2025. Washington ranked 31st in the league in takeaways, managing only 10 all season. General manager Adam Peters explained the thinking behind the move:
“He started a lot of games recently, and he always performs.” — Adam Peters
Douglas will work under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, who has emphasized generating more takeaways after last year’s league-worst showing in that category.
Making an Immediate Impression
Douglas missed the Commanders’ offseason program entirely, since the deal wasn’t finalized until after minicamp. Despite that late start, he wasted little time making an impact. On just his second day of training camp, Douglas intercepted a pass thrown by backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.
He’s direct about what he brings to the defense:
“Turnovers. That’s what I do. I get turnovers.” — Rasul Douglas
What It Means for the Secondary
Douglas adds experience and competition to a cornerback room already featuring Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil.
With Amos currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start camp, Douglas’s veteran presence and early production give Washington’s secondary a much-needed jolt heading into the 2026 season.